Windows and the combination thereof with alarm means

ABSTRACT

A window comprises two panes of glass spaced apart in parallel relationship by rigid spacers of uniform thickness which are bonded to at least one of the panes, the spacers including a continuous strip placed inwardly of the window periphery and backing sealing means sealing said panes together at the window periphery, the space between the panes being evacuated. A hole in one of the panes used in the evacuation of the space may be plugged by a switch device in circuit with alarm apparatus and adapted to react to operate the alarm apparatus on equalization of the pressures within and external to the window.

United States Patent {72] Inventor C i H- Peek 3.441924 4/1969 Peeketall. 340/274 BOX Freeport. Bahamas 2.496.877 2/1950 Krueger i 53/ 1211.Appl. No- 752.9258 9 8 2,401,638 6/1946 Herzog et al 53/9 1221 FiledAug.l .l 6 [45] Patcmed July 20 971 Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell[54] WINDOWS AND THE COMBINATION THEREOF WITH ALARM MEANS 4 Claims 8Drawing Hag ABSTRACT: A windovv comprises two panes of glass spacedapart in parallel relationship by rigid spacers of uniform U-S. Clthickness which are bonded to at least one of the panes, [he 200/33,340/274 spacers including a continuous strip placed inwardly of the [51]Int. Cl G081: 13/20 i d periphery and backing sealing means sealingsaid,..

of Search anes together at the window periphery the pace between 240,274, 276; 53/9; 200/ the panes being evacuated. A hole in one of thepanes used in the evacuation of the space may be plugged by a switchdevice Rem-mes cued in circuit with alarm apparatus and adapted to reactto operate UNITED STATES PATENTS the alarm apparatus on equalization ofthe pressures within 3,374,323 3/1968 Peek et al. 340/240 and externalto the window.

Assistant Examiner.! Michael Bobbitt Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller andMosher PATENTEnJuLzolsn 3,594,763

SHEET 1 OF 4 lnvenlor E I H'PZEK A tlorneyg v u I; u

SHEET 2 OF 4 Inventor CECIL H, P5 K Z VZ' 'll- Attorneys afffilflPATENTED JULEO 19m PATENTED JULZO 19m 3 594 76 SHEET U UF 4 lnvenlorCECIL H. PE/5K O y I By A lforneyg area bounded by said strip, saidstrip backing means sealing said panes together at the window periphery,the gaseous volume contained between said panes and said strip being ata pressure less than that external to the window, and that one of saidpanes which in use is the inner pane having therein a hole through whichthe cavity or space between the panes was evacuated and which isplugged.

Also, according to the present invention, I provide the combination withalarm apparatus of a window closing an opening and comprising two panesof glass spaced apart in parallel relationship remote from their edgesby spacer elements of rigid material which are bonded to at least one ofsaid panes, said panes being sealed together at their edges to definetherebetween a cavity or space wherein the pressure is less than theexternal pressure and holds in the closed circuit condition a switchdevice plugging a hole through which said cavity or space was evacuatedand which is in'the-inner one of said panes, said switch deviceinterrupting an electrical circuit which includes said alarm means andbeing adapted to react to operate said alarm means on equalization ofthe pressures, and said hole locating between said panes a floating discof stainless steel or other material of similar hardness through themedium of a dimple proud of said disc and loosely fitting into saidhole.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a front elevation showing one corner of a window according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 is a section on the line II-II of FIG. I with the thicknessdimensions approximately doubled;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section corresponding to part of FIG. 2 but withall dimensions approximately quadrupled, the view being exploded forclarification and the electrical con- -tacts being shown in the openposition as when the pressures are equalized (alarm position);

FIG. 3A is a plan view ofa bush;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section corresponding to FIG. 3 but with theparts closed up, and showing a cap used in the connection of the switchwith an alarm system;

FIG. 5 is an elevation on the same scale as FIG. 3, with parts brokenaway, illustrating a tool for use in evacuating a window according tothe invention and fitting the window with a plug or switch;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation, again on the same scale as FIG. 3, of atool for use in testing the degree of vacuum in a window according tothe invention equipped for connection into an alarm circuit; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation of one corner of a window according tothe invention, particularly suitable for acoustic purposes.

Referring now to the drawings, and flrstly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a window Icomprises two panes II and I2 of glass spaced apart in parallelrelationship by spacer means of rigid and clear plastics material and ofuniform thickness and bonded to one of said panes. The spacer meanscomprised a continuous strip I3 somewhat inwardly of the windowperiphery and discs 14 dispersed within the area bounded by the stripI3.

The panes II and 12 are sealed together by sealing means comprisinginner and outer seals. The inner seal I is a length of resilientmaterial such as rubber or a plastics material, preferably of circularsection, which allows turning at the corners without deforming, thematerial having a diameter slightly greater than the distance betweenthe panes II and 12 thus to ensure that the seal I5 is under compressionwhen the window is complete. The length of material forming the seal 15is pressed against the strip 13 and the ends of said length of materialare overlapped, to form a joint in the seal. The outer seal 16 is ofepoxy polysulphite or other sealing compound and is pressed into therecess between the panes II and I2 and the inner seal 15.

The panes II and I2 are of 32 ounce glass which is about 0.l56 inchthick, and both the spacer strip I3 and the spacer discs 14 are about0.03 inch thick. The strip and disc thicknesses may be greater inwindows to be utilized solely for acoustic purposes, and the type ofglass used for the panes II and I2 and the relative dispositions of thediscs 14 may, of course, be varied in accordance with the area and typeof the window. Moreover, the discs, or some of them, could benontransparent and display a name and/or an advertisement or the like.

Air is extracted from between the panes II and 12 to form a partialvacuum, through a hole I7 close to one corner of the pane II, whichcould be the inner or outer pane depending on the use of the window. Thepane II would normally be to the inside for burglar alarm windows, andto the outside for prisons and asylums. A vacuum of the order of 8 to l5inches of mercury has been found to be suitable and the hole 17 isplugged after evacuation of the space between the panes.

The spacer strip I3 could be metal or other nonresilient material. Itensures correct spacing of the panes II and 12 near the window peripheryand also ensures that the load is evenly applied to the seal and thespacer discs 14 when the window is evacuated. Strip 13 also forms theinner bearing surface for the inner seal IS.

The outer seal I6, or both seals 15 and 16, may be replaced by apremoulded seal shaped to fit into the recess defined by the panes IIand I2 and the inner seal I5 or by the panes and the strip 13. Such apremoulded seal would have a T-shaped cross section with the stem of theT accommodated in said recess.

Referring now to FIGS. 3and 4 wherein parts already described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same referencenumerals, the hole 17 is plugged'by a switch device I8 which interruptsan electric circuit (not shown) including alarm means (not shown) and isadapted to react to operate said alarm means on equalization of thepressures within and external to the window. The hole 17 locates thetapped stem 19 ofa bush 20. The stem 19 has a peripheral groove 2i andthe latter assists adhesion of the stem to the hole surround by means ofa suitable adhesive or cementing compound such as Araldite (RegisteredTrade Mark). Two longitudinal grooves 22 are formed in the sternadjacent the tapped opening therein and extend completely through thebush. A recess 22A is turned in the top of the bush 20.

The switch device 18 comprises a disc-shaped baseplate 23 with aperipheral flange 24 and a central threaded stud 25 which screws intothe tapped opening of the bush 20. The dimensions of the baseplate 23and the head of the bush 20 are such that a small clearance is leftbetween the flange 24 and the periphery of the head, and an O-ring seal26 coated with silicone grease is compressed in said clearance as theswitch device is screwed into position.

An outer circular plate 27 is held in spaced and parallel relation tothe baseplate 23 by an annular spacer 28 of ceramic or similarelectrical insulating material, which both seals the space 29 betweenthe plates and locates in position a diaphragm 30 which has a centralcontact 31 of precious metal such as platinum proud of its surfaceopposed to the baseplate 23. A hole 32 is provided in the baseplate tocommunicate with the recess 22A, so that the switch space 29communicates with the space or cavity between the panes II and 12.

The stud 25 has a central tapped opening 33 with a fine thread and inthis is engaged a threaded pin 34 at whose end opposed to the diaphragmis a contact 35 also of precious metal such as platinum. The pin 34enables adjustment of the setting of the switch device, The plate 23 hastwo small holes 36 therein for engagement by a suitable tool(hereinafter described) when assembling the switch device 18 to the bush20. A small hole 39 is provided in plate 27 to ensure there is no airlock to restrict the operation ofdiaphragm 30.

On the space or cavity between the panes I1 and 12 being evacuated toprovide therein a vacuum of the order of, say, 2.5 inches Hg, thediaphragm 30 is drawn inwards (see FIG. 4) and the contacts 31 and 35close together. This locks the relay and the alarm system isinoperative, When the vacuum drops below a predetermined value, say 2inches Hg, the diaphragm 30 flexes outwardly and pulls the contact 31from the contact 35, breaking the electrical circuit and releasing therelay, thus operating the alarm system, (see position of contacts 31 and35 in FIG. 3).

A feature of the present invention is the location in the space orcavity between the panes 11 and 12 of a disc 40 of stainless steel orother material of similar hardness. The disc 40 is thinner than saidspace or cavity and is approximately 0.020 inch thick. The disc 40 iscentrally dimpled at 41 and the dimple is of such asize that it is aloose fit in the hole 17. It will be manifest that the disc will remainin position. The dimple does not prevent free passage of air between thespace 29 and the space or cavity between the panes 11 and 12. The disccovers the hole 17 and its purpose is to thwart any attempt to drillthrough the external pane 12 with the object of sealing off the switchfrom the space or cavity between the panes 11 and 12. In the initialstages of drilling, the vacuum may no be distributed as the drill fillsthe hole being made in the plane 12. The disc 40 will rotate freely onbeing encountered by a drill and will make further drilling of the pane11 very difficult if not impossible, without setting off the alarm.

Referring now to FIG. of the drawing, a tool 44 suitable both forevacuating the space or cavity between the panes II and 12 and securinga plug or switch device to the bush plugging the hole 17, comprises achamber 45 having an inlet pipe 46 to which a vacuum pump (not shown)can be connected. Inside the chamber 45 is an adapter 47 having pins orprongs 48 to be engaged in the holes 36 in the switchplate 23 orcentering similar holes in the head of the plug. The adapter 47 ismounted on one end of a shaft 49 which extends through the top 50 of thechamber and has a knurled knob 51 at its other end. An O-ring seal 52 isfitted at the top of the chamber where the shaft passes through, and asecond O-ring seal 53 is fitted around the periphery at the open lowerend of the chamber.

In operation of the tool 44, the plug or switch device is looselyscrewed into the tapped stem 19 of the bush 20, thus to enablecentrinering of the tool. Air is exhausted from the space or cavitybetween the panes 11 and 12 via the hole 17 and the chamber 45. When thecorrect vacuum is reached, the vacuum pump is shut off and the knurledknob 51 is rotated to screw the plug or the switch device fully into thetapped stem 19.

FIG. 6 illustrates a simple tool for testing the operation of the switchand the degree of vacuum in a window according to the invention when thehole 17 is plugged by a switch 18 as shown in FIG. 3. The tool comprisesa small chamber 55 which fits over the switch 18. An O-ring 56 is fittedinside the chamber to form a seal between the chamber and the switch,and a tubular duct 57 leading from the base 58 of the chamber enablesconnection ofa vacuum pump to the chamber.

Two electrical wires are connected to this tool, one to contact 59 whichis in electric continuity, through the body of the tool 58, with thebaseplate 23 of the switch 18, and the other to a spring-loaded plunger60. This plunger is insulated from the body of the tool 58 by aninsulator 61 and makes electrical contact with the top plate 27 oftheswitch 18.

FIG. 4 also illustrates one method of connecting the switch 18 with analarm device (not shown). A metal cap 62 is fitted over the switch 18and is held in position by a circlip 63. A

spring 64 provides the electrical connection between the plate 27 of theswitch 18 and a contact 65 insulated from the cap 62 by a layer 66ofinsulating material. The spring 64 also ensures that there is atendency for the cap 62 to be forced off the switch 18, and this causespressure to be exerted on the circlip 63. A contact 67 is secureddirectly to the cap 62 and provides electrical continuity for a wirefrom the alarm circuit (not shown) via the cap 62 and the baseplate 23to the contact 35. A ole 68 is provided in the cap 62 for throughpassage of the conducting wires from the alarm system to the switch.

When testing the vacuum in the window the cap 62 is removed from theswitch 18 by removing circlip 63. This removes the electrical circuit ofthe alarm system from the switch.

The test tool (FIG. 6) is electrically connected to the test circuitincorporated in the vacuum pump (not shown). The test tool is placedover the switch 18 and when the contacts 31 and 35 are closed, a lamp isilluminated. The degree of vacuum in the switch space 29, which is thesame as that in the space or cavity between the panes 11 and 12, isequalized by a vacuum applied to the other side of the diaphragm and theswitch contacts then move apart, thus extinguishing the lamp. Thus bothoperation of the switch and the degree of vacuum inside the window aretested.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the window therein illustrated is intended foracoustic insulation only and a plug 70 replaces the switch 18 of FIGS. 3and 4. Parts already identified are denoted by the same referencenumerals as in FIGS. 3 and 4. There is, of course, no need for the disc40.

The plug 70 consists of a head 71 which incorporates a means of turningsuch as a screwdriver slot 74, the head having a peripheral flange 73 tosecure the O-ring 26 in position, and a threaded stem portion 72 whichscrews into bush 20.

To apply the vacuum, tool 44 is used with a modified adapter 47 to fitthe slot 74 in the plug head 71.

Iclaim:

1. The combination with alarm apparatus of a window closing an openingand comprising two panes of glass spaced apart in parallel relationshipremote from their edges by spacer elements of rigid material which arebonded to at least one of said panes, said panes being sealed togetherat their edges to define therebetween a cavity or space wherein thepressure is less than the external pressure and holds in the closedcircuit condition a switch device plugging a hole through which saidcavity or space was evacuated and which is in the inner one of saidpanes, said switch device interrupting an electrical circuit whichincludes said alarm means and being adapted to react to operate saidalarm means on equalization of the pressures, and said hole locatingbetween said panes a floating disc of stainless steel or other materialof similar harness through the medium of a dimple proud of said disc andloosely fitting into said hole.

2. Alarm-actuating apparatus comprising:

a. first and second panels of similar areal dimensions and impervious toair; I

b. means interspacing said panels in parallel relationship and sealinglyuniting them together along a closed peripheral path to define betweensaid pa :iS a heremetically sealed cavity in which prevails apredetermined air pressure less than atmospheric air pressure;

c. a housing mounted on one of said panels, said housing comprisingfirst and second electrically conducting plates spaced apart along aclosed path by an insulating and sealing medium to form a switch space,said second plate being closer to said one panel than said first plateand the periphery of said second plate projecting outwardly from saidhousing, said first and second plates each having an opening formedtherein;

(1. said one of said panels having an opening therein;

e. a bush having a tapped stem which partially plugs said panel opening;

f. switching means comprising a diaphragm mounted in said switch spaceand secured to said first plate by said insulating and sealing mediumwith one face in communication with said cavity through said secondplate and panel openings, and the other face in communication withatmosphere through said first plate opening, a first electrical contactmounted on said diaphragm, a threaded stud projecting from said secondplate and engaging in said tapped stem, said stud having an axial tappedbore opening into said housing and into said cavity, a threaded pinengaging in said tapped bore and having an end entering said chamber, asecond electrical contact mounted on said end in alignment with saidfirst contact, said diaphragm being movable in response to changes insaid predetermined air pressure between a position wherein said firstand second contacts engage and a position wherein said first and secondcontacts do not engage;

. a metal cap fitting with clearance over said housing and removablyattached to said projecting periphery of said second plate, a thirdelectrical contact mounted on and within said cap and insulated fromsaid cap, a spring providing electrical continuity between said thirdcontact and said first plate and thus through said diaphragm to saidfirst contact, a fourth electrical contact mounted directly on andwithin said cap and thus providing electrical continuity through saidcap and said second plate to said second contact, said cap havingtherein a hole through which extend electrical conducting wires from analarm device to said third and fourth contacts.

3. Alarm-actuating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said meansinterspacing said panels comprises a continuous strip somewhat inwardlyof the panel peripheries and elements dispersed within the area boundedby said strip, said strip backing means sealing said panels together atheir peripheries.

4. Alarm-actuating apparatus according to claim 3, including a floatingdisc of hard material disposed between said panels, said disc having adimple proud thereof and loosely fitting into said panel opening.

1. The combination with alarm apparatus of a window closing an openingand comprising two panes of glass spaced apart in parallel relationshipremote from their edges by spacer elements of rigid material which arebonded to at least one of said panes, said panes being sealed togetherat their edges to define therebetween a cavity or space wherein thepressure is less than the external pressure and holds in the closedcircuit condition a switch device plugging a hole through which saidcavity or space was evacuated and which is in the inner one of saidpanes, said switch device interrupting an electrical circuit whichincludes said alarm means and being adapted to react to operate saidalarm means on equalization of the pressures, and said hole locatingbetween said panes a floating disc of stainless steel or other materialof similar harness through the medium of a dimple proud of said disc andloosely fitting into said hole.
 2. Alarm-actuating apparatus comprising:a. first and second panels of similar areal dimensions and impervious toair; b. means interspacing said panels in parallel relationship andsealingly uniting them together along a closed peripheral path to definebetween said panels a heremetically sealed cavity in which prevails apredetermined air pressure less than atmospheric air pressure; c. ahousing mounted on one of said panels, said housing comprising first andsecond electrically conducting plates spaced apart along a closed pathby an insulating and sealing medium to form a switch space, said secondplate being closer to said one panel than said first plate and theperiphery of said second plate projecting outwardly from said housing,said first and second plates each having an opening formed therein; d.said one of said panels having an opening therein; e. a bush having atapped stem which partially plugs said panel opening.; f. switchingmeans comprising a diaphragm mounted in said switch space and secured tosaid first plate by said insulating and sealing medium with one face incommunication with said cavity through said second plate and panelopenings, and the other face in communication with atmosphere throughsaid first plate opening, a first electrical contact mounted on saiddiaphragm, a threaded stud projecting from said second plate andengaging in said tapped stem, said stud having an axial tapped boreopening into said housing and into said cavity, a threaded pin engagingin said tapped bore and having an end entering said chamber, a secondelectrical contact mounted on said end in alignment with said firstcontact, said diaphragm being movable in response to changes in saidpredetermined air pressure between a position wherein said first andsecond contacts engage and a position wherein said first and secondcontacts do not engage; g. a metal cap fitting with clearance over saidhousing and removably attached to said projecting periphery of saidsecond plate, a third electrical contact mounted on and within said capand insulated from said cap, a spring providing electrical continuitybetween said third contact and said first plate and thus through saiddiaphragm to said first contact, a fourth electrical contact mounteddirectly on and within said cap and thus providing electrical continuitythrough said cap and said second plate to said second contact, said caphaving therein a hole through which extend electrical conducting wiresfrom an alarm device to said third and fourth contacts. 3.Alarm-actuating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said meansinterspacing said panels comprises a continuous strip somewhat inwardlyof the panel peripheries and elements dispersed within the area boundedby said strip, said strip backing means sealing said panels together atheir peripheries.
 4. Alarm-actuating apparatus according to claim 3,including a floating disc of hard material disposed between said panels,said disc having a dimple proud thereof and loosely fitting into saidpanel opening.